Table with privacy screen

ABSTRACT

A table has a support structure and a work surface that may pivot between a substantially horizontal use position and a substantially vertical storage position. A privacy screen is pivotally attached to the work surface such that the privacy screen is pivotally movable relative to the work surface between a first, storage position in which the screen is substantially parallel to the work surface and a second, deployed or use position in which the screen is substantially perpendicular to the work surface. The screen may be pivotally attached to the work surface via a resistance hinge such that movement of the screen between the first and second positions requires overcoming a resistance force. A stop element may be attached to either the work surface or the screen to prevent movement of the screen beyond the second, deployed position.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to office furniture components and, inparticular, relates to an article of office furniture such as a table,for example, which includes a pivotal work surface and a privacy screen.

2. Description of the Related Art

Articles of office furniture such as tables, for example, may includecaster wheels to allow the articles of office furniture to be readilymoved and relocated within an office space or educational space. Suchtables may also include work surfaces which pivot between a generallyhorizontal use position and a generally vertical storage position. Inaddition, a plurality of such tables may be nested within one anotherwhen their work surfaces are disposed in the vertical storage positionin order to minimize floor space during storage.

During use, a limited extent of privacy may be desired for those workingat the tables, and privacy screens may be used with the tables for thispurpose. Disadvantageously, however, privacy screens which are providedas components separate from the tables must be removed from the tableswhen the work surfaces are pivoted to a vertical position, with theprivacy screens stored separately from the tables. Additionally, it maybe time consuming to remove such privacy screens from the tables forstorage, followed by reattaching the privacy screens to the tablesduring use. Privacy screens which are permanently mounted to the tablestypically inhibit the ability of the tables to nest within one anotherduring storage when the work surfaces are disposed in their verticalpositions.

What is needed is improvement over the foregoing.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure provides a table with a support structure, and awork surface that may pivot between a substantially horizontal useposition and a substantially vertical storage position. A privacy screenis pivotally attached to the work surface such that the privacy screenis pivotally movable relative to the work surface between a first,storage position in which the screen is substantially parallel to thework surface and a second, deployed or use position in which the screenis substantially perpendicular to the work surface. The screen may bepivotally attached to the work surface via a resistance hinge such thatmovement of the screen between the first and second positions requiresovercoming a resistance force. A stop element may be attached to eitherthe work surface or the screen to prevent movement of the screen beyondthe second, deployed position.

In one form, the present disclosure provides a table, including asupport structure; a work surface pivotally mounted to the supportstructure, the work surface pivotable between a first, use position anda second, storage position; a screen pivotally connected to the worksurface, the screen pivotable between a first position in which thescreen is disposed substantially parallel to the work surface and asecond position in which the screen is disposed substantiallyperpendicular to the work surface; and at least one stop element affixedto at least one of the work surface and the screen, the at least onestop element operable to prevent pivotal movement of the screen beyondthe second position from the first position.

In another form, the present disclosure provides a table, including asupport structure; a work surface pivotally connected to the supportstructure, the work surface pivotable between a first, use position anda second, storage position; a screen pivotally connected to the worksurface via at least one resistance hinge, the screen pivotable betweena first position in which the screen is disposed substantially parallelto the work surface and a second position in which the screen isdisposed substantially perpendicular to the work surface, the resistancehinge providing a resistance to movement of the screen between the firstand second positions.

In yet another form, the present disclosure provides a table, includinga support structure; a work surface pivotally connected to the supportstructure, the work surface pivotable between a first, use position anda second, storage position; a screen pivotally connected to the worksurface via at least one resistance hinge, the screen pivotable betweena first position in which the screen is disposed substantially parallelto the work surface and a second position in which the screen isdisposed substantially perpendicular to the work surface, the resistancehinge providing a resistance to movement of the screen between the firstand second positions; and at least one stop element affixed to at leastone of the work surface and the screen, the at least one stop elementoperable to prevent pivotal movement of the screen beyond the secondposition from the first position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of thisdisclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparentand the disclosure itself will be better understood by reference to thefollowing description of embodiments of the disclosure taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a table according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the table shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the table with the work surface in a useposition and the privacy screen in a deployed position;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the table with the work surface in storageposition and the screen in a storage position;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the table with the work surface ina use position, the screen in a storage position, and the work surfacerelease handle shown beneath the work surface;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of a portion of FIG. 8;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary end view of the table, showing the deployedposition of the screen in solid lines and an intermediate position ofthe screen in dashed lines;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a table according to another embodimentof the present disclosure, including a modesty panel below the worksurface;

FIG. 9 is an end view of the table shown in FIG. 8 with the work surfacein a storage position, the screen in a storage position, and the modestypanel parallel with both the work surface and the screen;

FIG. 10 is a partial sectional view of a table according to anotherembodiment of the present disclosure, including a stop element affixedto the work surface; and

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of an exemplary resistance hinge.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplary embodiments of thedisclosure illustrated herein are not to be construed as limiting thescope of the disclosure in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, table 20 is shown and generally includes worksurface 22 and support structure 24. Work surface 22 includes rear edge26, front edge 28, and right and left side edges 30 and 32.Additionally, work surface 22 includes top surface 34 and an oppositebottom surface 36. As described below, although an article of officefurniture is generally shown herein as a table and, in particular, amobile table, the privacy screen arrangement of the present disclosuremay be used with other articles of office furniture, such as desks,credenzas, work surfaces associated with panel or partition systems, andother articles of office furniture.

Work surface 22 includes a pair of work surface support beams 38attached to bottom surface 36 thereof, which in turn are pivotally orrotatably connected to support structure 24 via a pair of rotationmechanisms 40, as described below. Support structure 24 generallyincludes horizontal member 42, legs 44, and four caster wheels 46 forfacilitating movement of table 20. Rotation mechanisms 40 are connectedto opposite ends of horizontal member 42 and include internal rotationstructures (not shown) which facilitate rotational movement of worksurface 22, and may also operate to retain or lock work surface insubstantially horizontal and vertical positions, as described below.Rotation mechanisms 40 may be of the type available from OMT-Vehyl USAof Holland, Mich. Rotation mechanisms 40 are vertically supported bylegs 44 and connected to one another by horizontal member 42.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, horizontal member 42 defines a horizontalaxis A₁ about which work surface 22 rotates. Work surface 22 isrotatable about axis A₁, between a horizontal, use position, shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, and a vertical, storage position, shown in FIG. 4. Worksurface 22 rotates approximately 90 degrees between its use position ofFIGS. 1 and 2 and its storage position of FIG. 4. Although not shown inthe drawings, support structure 24 may be configured such that, whenwork surface 20 is disposed in its vertical, storage position, a numberof tables 20 may be nested within one another for storage.

Rotation mechanisms 40 may operate to lock work surface 22 in each ofits use and storage positions. For movement of work surface 22 betweensuch positions, the locking mechanisms (not shown) of rotationmechanisms 40 must be unlocked or disengaged in order to allow worksurface 22 to rotate about axis A₁. Referring to FIG. 5, release handle48 is shown in dashed lines, and may be disposed beneath work surface22. Release handle 48 is operable to actuate the locking mechanisms ofrotation mechanisms 40 via a pair of cables 50 such that, in either ofthe use and storage positions of work surface 22, actuation of releasehandle 48 unlocks work surface 22 so that a user of table 20 can rotatework surface 22 from the horizontal, use position to the vertical,storage position. Once work surface 22 is unlocked, work surface 22 isrotatable about axis A₁.

Referring once again to FIGS. 1 and 2, privacy screen 52 is pivotablyconnected to work surface 22. Screen 52 includes front side 54 and rearside 56. Screen 52 is designed to provide a visual buffer or barrierbetween users of table 20 and people in the surrounding room in order toprovide users of table 20 with a limited degree of privacy. Screen 52may be constructed of various materials (e.g., metal, wood, plastic, andother composites and may have various tints (e.g., clear or translucent,semi-translucent, and opaque).

Screen 52 is pivotable relative to work surface 22 between positions inwhich screen is disposed perpendicular to work surface 22 and parallelto work surface 22. Accordingly, referring to FIG. 5, screen 52 is shownin a first, storage position in which screen is disposed parallel towork surface 22 and is spaced slightly away from work surface 22.Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, screen 52 is shown in a second, useposition, in which screen 52 is disposed perpendicular to work surface22. FIGS. 7 and 10 additionally show, in dashed lines, an intermediateposition of screen 52 between its use and storage positions.

Screen 52 is pivotally connected to work surface 22 by at least oneresistance or torque hinge 58 and typically, by two or more of suchhinges. Specifically, referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, resistance hinges58 are shown pivotally connecting screen 52 with work surface 22. Eachresistance hinge 58 includes a first or top wing 60 connected to screen52 via suitable fasteners, a second or bottom wing 62 connected to worksurface 22 via suitable fasteners, and a hinge connection 64 pivotablyconnecting first and second wings 60 and 62. Screen 52 pivots about apivot axis A₂ formed by the hinge connection(s) of the hinges 58.

As described in further detail below, hinges 58 are of the resistance,friction, or torque hinge type, and are constructed to provideresistance to movement of the hinge wings 60 and 62 thereof relative toone another in one or both rotational directions. In one embodiment,resistance hinges 58 provide resistance to movement of wings 60 and 62thereof in both rotational directions with respect to one another and,in this manner, resistance hinges 58 provide resistance to movement ofscreen 52 relative to work surface 22 between the use and storagepositions of screen 22. Resistance hinges 58 may be of various types,and may include cooperating friction members, flexible torsion elements,or coil springs, for example.

Referring to FIG. 11, an exemplary resistance hinge 58 is shown, whichincludes a frictional resistance assembly. Hinge 58 generally includesfirst and second wings 60 and 62 rotationally connected to one anotheralong axis A₂, with second wing 62 formed of two sections 66 and 68.First wing 60 includes barrel portion 70 with a through bore 72 and aslot 74 extending along bore 72. First wing 60 also includes a wingportion 76 with three apertures 78 through which fasteners (not shown)may be inserted in order to fix first wing 60 to either work surface 22or screen 52. Sections 66 and 68 of second wing 62 each include a barrelportion 80 with a blind bore 82 and respective wing portions 84 withapertures 86 through which fasteners (not shown) may be inserted inorder to fix first wing 60 to either work surface 22 or screen 52.

Pivot shafts 88 are received within blind bores 82 of sections 66 and 68of second wing 62, and are splined to rotationally fix pivot shafts 88with respect to sections 66 and 68. A washer 90 and a pair of clampingrings 92 are received on each pivot shaft 88. Each clamping ring 92 isgenerally C-shaped and includes an extending tab 94 and a slot 96adjacent tab 94. The outer surfaces of pivot shafts 88 and the innersurfaces of each clamping ring 92 may be roughened to provide increasethe frictional resistance to relative rotation therebetween. A pair ofclamping rings 92 are received on each pivot shaft 88 with therespective clamping rings 92 disposed in opposite relative orientationswherein, with tabs 94 thereof aligned for receipt within slot 96 ofbarrel portion 70 of first wing 60 as shown in FIG. 11, the slot 96 ofone clamping ring is disposed on one side of the aligned tabs 94 and theslot 96 of the other clamping ring 92 is disposed on an opposite side ofthe aligned tabs 94. Upon assembly of hinge 58, pivot shafts 88 andtheir respective clamping rings 92 are received within opposite ends ofbore 72 of barrel portion 70 of first wing 60, with tabs 94 of clampingrings 92 received within slot 96.

In use, when first and second wings 60 and 62 are rotated relative toone another in a first direction D₁ about axis A₂, the pair of clampingrings 92 associated with each pivot shaft 88 will both rotate aboutpivot shaft 88 in the same direction. However, due to the oppositeorientation of the clamping rings 92 with respect to one another on eachpivot shaft 88 as described above, one clamping ring 92 will clamp, orclose onto, pivot shaft 88 by diameter reduction at its slot 96 whilethe other clamping ring 92 will to release, or open from, pivot shaft 88by diameter increase at its slot 96. In this manner, one of the clampingrings 92 will provide a resistance to rotational movement of the firstand second wings 90 and 92 relative to one another about axis A₂, whilethe other clamping ring 92 will not provide such resistance. When wings60 and 62 are moved relative to one another in an opposite, seconddirection D₂ about axis A₂, the opposite of the foregoing will occur,whereby hinge 58 provides a resistance to rotational movement of firstand second wings 60 and 62 relative to each other in each direction ofmovement.

Advantageously, for the reasons discussed below, resistance hinges 58provide a resistance to unintentional movement of screen 52 between itsstorage and use positions, such as movement initiated by gravity or byincidental contact, for example, while allowing intentional movement ofscreen 52 by a user in overcoming the resistance force of resistancehinges 58. For example, referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 7, and 10, for example,resistance hinges 58 maintain screen 52 in its use position and overcomethe force of gravity by which screen 52 would tend to pivot to itsstorage position. In this manner, screen 52 may be contacted by anobject or subjected to a force which, in the absence of the use ofresistance hinges 58, may cause screen 52 to pivot from its useposition. Additionally, as may be seen from FIGS. 5, 4, and 9, forexample, resistance hinges 58 aid in maintaining screen 52 in itsstorage position in which screen 52 is disposed substantially parallelto work surface 22 and is spaced slightly from work surface 22.

If, by contrast, screen 52 were connected to work surface 22 viaconventional, non-resistance or non-torque type hinges, screen 52 wouldtend to easily pivot or fall over from its use position toward itsstorage position or otherwise may require a separate locking mechanismto retain screen 52 in its use position substantially perpendicular towork surface 22.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7, and 10, stop elements 98 restrict thepivoting of screen 52 relative to work surface 22 beyond the useposition of screen 52 by which screen 52 is disposed perpendicular towork surface 22. Stop elements 98 generally include top plate 100 andbottom plate 102, and may be provided in different configurations.

In a first configuration, shown in FIG. 7, top plate 100 is fixed to thelower portion of rear side 56 of screen 52 via suitable fasteners, withbottom plate extending downwardly in a vertical cantilevered manner fromtop plate 100 and engageable with the rear edge 26 of work surface 22.In this manner, when screen 52 is disposed in its use positionperpendicular to work surface 22, bottom plate 102 engages rear edge 26of work surface to restrict further movement of screen 52 beyond its useposition in which screen would be disposed at an obtuse angle withrespect to work surface.

In a second configuration, shown in FIG. 10, bottom plate 102 is fixedto the rear edge 56 of work surface 22 via suitable fasteners, with topplate 100 extending upwardly in a vertical cantilevered manner frombottom plate 102 and engageable with the lower portion of rear face 56of work surface 22. In this manner, when screen 52 is disposed in itsuse position perpendicular to work surface 22, top plate 100 engagesrear side 56 of screen to restrict further movement of screen 52 beyondits use position in which screen 52 would be disposed at an obtuse anglewith respect to work surface 22.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, table 20 may further include modesty panel104. Modesty panel 104 can be constructed of various materials (e.g.,metal, wood, plastic, and other composites) and may have various tints(e.g., clear or translucent, semi-translucent, and opaque). Modestypanel 104 is pivotably connected between work surface support beams 38and, in one embodiment, modesty panel 104 may be freely pivotablyconnected between work surface support beams 38 such that, as shown inFIG. 8, when work surface 22 is in its horizontal use position, modestypanel 104 hangs freely by the force of gravity from work surface supportbeams 38 in a vertical position perpendicular to work surface 22 and, asshown in FIG. 9, when work surface 22 is in its vertical storageposition, modesty panel 104 hangs freely by the force of gravity fromwork surface support beams 38 in a vertical position parallel to worksurface 22.

In sum, as described below, various configurations of table 20 exhibitthe different interactions between the various components describedabove.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 and 8, table 20 is shown with work surface 22 inits horizontal, use position. Screen 52 is disposed in its vertical, useposition perpendicular to work surface 22 and, as shown in FIG. 8,modesty panel 104 hangs freely from work surface 22 perpendicular towork surface 22. Screen 52 is held in its vertical, use position byresistance hinges 58, which advantageously hold screen 52 in suchposition and resist unintentional pivotal movement of screen 52 towardsits storage position. Additionally, stop elements 98 restrict movementof screen 52 beyond its vertical use position.

Referring to FIG. 5, work surface 22 is shown in its horizontal, useposition with screen 52 in its storage position parallel to work surface22. Advantageously, in the storage position of screen 52, resistancehinges 58 hold screen parallel to work surface 22 in a manner in whichscreen is spaced from work surface 22 with a slight gap between screen52 and work surface 22 such that table 20, or a number of tables 20, maybe moved and reconfigured within an office space without screens 52scraping or bumping against their corresponding work surfaces 22.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 9, work surface 22 is disposed in its vertical,storage position and screen 52 is shown in its storage position parallelto work surface 22. Although screen 52 is shown attached to the rear (orlower) edge of work surface 22 with the end of screen positioned abovehinge 58, the rotation mechanisms 40 and work surface 22 of table 20 maybe alternatively configured such that screen 52 is attached to anopposite edge with the end of screen 52 positioned below hinge 58 whenwork surface is disposed in the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 10.Advantageously, similar to the position of screen 52 shown in FIG. 5, inthe position of screen 52 shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, resistance hinges 58hold screen 52 parallel to work surface 22 in a manner in which screen52 is spaced from work surface 22 with a slight gap between screen 52and work surface 22, with pivoting of screen 52 from such position bythe force of gravity prevented. Also, as shown in FIG. 9, modesty panel104 freely hangs from work surface 22 in a. vertical position parallelto both work surface 22 and screen 52 such that work surface 22, screen52, and modesty panel 104 are all disposed vertically parallel to oneanother to together provide a compact, overall profile that is slim inhorizontal dimension to facilitate nesting of a number of tables 20 forstorage.

Lastly, FIGS. 7 and 10 illustrate how screen 52, shown in dashed linesin an intermediate position between its use and storage positions, maybe held by resistance hinges 58 at any intermediate position between itsuse and storage positions relative to work surface 22 that may bedesired by a user.

While this disclosure has been described as having exemplary embodimentsand scenarios, the present disclosure can be further modified within thespirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is thereforeintended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosureusing its general principles. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which. this disclosure pertains andwhich fall within the limits of the appended claims.

1. A table, comprising: a support structure; a work surface pivotallymounted to said support structure, said work surface pivotable between afirst, use position and a second, storage position; a screen pivotallyconnected to said work surface, said screen pivotable between a firstposition in which said screen is disposed substantially parallel to, andis spaced from, said work surface and a second position in which saidscreen is disposed substantially perpendicular to said work surface; andat least one stop element affixed to at least one of said work surfaceand said screen, said at least one stop element operable to preventpivotal movement of said screen beyond said second position from saidfirst position.
 2. The table of claim 1, wherein said at least one stopelement is affixed to said screen.
 3. The table of claim 2, wherein saidat least one stop element abuts an edge of said work surface when saidscreen is in said second position.
 4. The table of claim 1, wherein saidat least one stop element is affixed to said work surface.
 5. The tableof claim 4, wherein said at least one stop element abuts said screenwhen said screen is in said second position.
 6. The table of claim 1,further comprising a hinge which provides a resistance to movement ofsaid screen between said first and second positions.
 7. The table ofclaim 1, wherein said work surface comprises a rear edge and a frontedge, said rear edge disposed below said front edge when said worksurface is in said storage position, said screen attached to said worksurface along said rear edge.
 8. The table of claim 1, furthercomprising a freely pivotable modesty panel pivotally connected to saidwork surface.
 9. A table, comprising: a support structure; a worksurface pivotally connected to said support structure, said work surfacepivotable between a first, use position and a second, storage position;a screen pivotally connected to said work surface via at least oneresistance hinge, said screen pivotable between a first position inwhich said screen is disposed substantially parallel to said worksurface and a second position in which said screen is disposedsubstantially perpendicular to said work surface, said resistance hingeproviding a resistance to movement of said screen between said first andsecond positions; and wherein said work surface comprises a rear edgeand a front edge, said rear edge disposed below said front edge whensaid work surface is in a storage position, said screen attached to saidwork surface along said rear edge.
 10. The table of claim 9, whereinsaid resistance hinge includes at least a pair of components infrictional engagement with one another.
 11. The table of claim 9,further comprising at least one stop element affixed to at least one ofsaid work surface and said screen, said at least one stop elementoperable to prevent pivotal movement of said screen beyond said secondposition from said first position.
 12. The table of claim 11, whereinsaid at least one stop element is affixed to said work surface.
 13. Thetable of claim 11, wherein said at least one stop element is affixed tosaid screen.
 14. (canceled)
 15. The table of claim 9, wherein saidscreen in said first position forms substantially a right angle withsaid work surface and said screen in said second position is disposedsubstantially parallel to said work surface.
 16. The table of claim 9,further comprising a freely pivotable modesty panel pivotally connectedto said work surface.
 17. A table, comprising a support structure; awork surface pivotally connected to said support structure, said worksurface pivotable between a first, use position and a second, storageposition; a screen pivotally connected to said work surface via at leastone resistance hinge including at least a pair of components infrictional engagement with one another, said screen pivotable between afirst position in which said screen is disposed substantially parallelto said work surface and a second position in which said screen isdisposed substantially perpendicular to said work surface, saidresistance hinge providing a resistance to movement of said screenbetween said first and second positions; and at least one stop elementaffixed to at least one of said work surface and said screen, said atleast one stop element operable to prevent pivotal movement of saidscreen beyond said second position from said first position.
 18. Thetable of claim 9, wherein in said first position, said screen is spacedfrom said work surface.
 19. The table of claim 17, wherein said at leastone stop element is affixed to said work surface.
 20. The table of claim17, wherein said at least one stop element is affixed to said screen.21. The table of claim 17, wherein said work surface comprises a rearedge and a front edge, said rear edge disposed below said front edgewhen said work surface is in said storage position, said screen attachedto said work surface along said rear edge.
 22. The table of claim 17,wherein in said first position, said screen is spaced from said worksurface.